Soccer By Ives

International Rewind: Russia stuns Italy, Austria tops Euro co-host, and more

By FRANCO PANIZO

A little over a week separates Italy from the start of their Euro 2012 campaign, and it appears the Azzurri have a lot to work on before then.

Italy suffered a surprising 3-0 defeat to Russia in Zurich, Switzerland on Friday in a friendly that extended the Italians' scoreless streak to 300 minutes. All three of Russia's goal came in the second half, with Roman Shirokov grabbing a brace after Alexander Kerzhakov knocked in the winner at the hour-mark.

The Azzurri fielded a strong lineup that included Mario Balotelli, Daniele De Rossi and Andrea Pirlo, but they were still unable to pick up their first win of 2012.

Italy begins its Euro 2012 campaign with a Group C match against Spain on June 10. Russia, meanwhile, takes on Group A opponent Czech Republic in the second match of opening day on June 8.

Here are more results from Friday's international fixtures:

Bradley guides Egypt to win over Mozambique in World Cup qualifying

If Egypt national team head coach Bob Bradley ever dreamt of the perfect start to his side's World Cup qualifying campaign, it probably looked a lot like what transpired on Friday.

Bradley and Egpyt began their quest to the qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a 2-0 victory over Mozambique at Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria on Friday night. The Pharoahs took the lead 10 minutes after halftime through a goal from defender Mahmoud Fathallah, and they doubled their advantage when Mozambique goalkeeper Kapango committed the ultimate blunder by scoring an own goal.

The result placed Egypt atop Group G, which also includes Guinea and Zimbabwe. It also extended Egypt's unbeaten run to 13 games (11 of which have been wins), a streak that dates back to February.

The Pharoahs are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since 1990.

What do you think of Egypt's 2-0 win over Mozambique? Think Bradley will guide to the team to Brazil 2014? Surprised Bradley has the team on a 13-game winning streak?

Share your thoughts below.

USMNT aim to fine-tune things against Canada before qualifying begins

photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

If this summer's slate of matches were indeed meant to replicate a tournament, the U.S. men's national team would be in must-win territory.

Fortunately for the Americans, this is not a tournament and their visit to BMO Field in Toronto to take on Canada on Sunday is not a win-or-go-home scenario. But that does not mean the Americans won't be looking for a victory, not when they suffered a lopsided defeat to Brazil on Wednesday and not with more fine-tuning needing to be done before World Cup qualifying begins next Friday.

"We have to improve still, absolutely," said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann after the loss to Brazil. "We'll discuss that tomorrow as a team. There are areas where we've got to get closer to the people, we've got to push forward a little bit more, we've got to be smarter playing out of the back."

South American World Cup qualifying resumes this weekend

By FRANCO PANIZO

The fifth round of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying is set to take place this weekend, and Leo Messi and Argentina are hoping this is the round where they claim first place in the standings.

Argentina will look to overtake Uruguay in the table this weekend, but the albiceleste will need a result at home against Ecuador in arguably the biggest match of the fifth round of Conmebol World Cup qualifying.

Ecuador come in having won two of their first three games, and they will try to jump up from their fourth-place position with a result against head coach Alejandro Sabello's stacked side that includes the likes of Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria.

Here's a look at the rest of the Round 5 matches in Conmebol World Cup qualifying:

MLS fines and suspends Magee, Stephens, Pajoy

As if things were not bad enough for the Los Angeles Galaxy, in comes word that two of their players have been suspended.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended and fined Galaxy midfielders Mike Magee and Michael Stephens undisclosed amounts for their actions in Los Angeles' 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo on May 26. Magee was punished for what the league termed 'aggravated dissent against the referee' in the 92nd minute of the match, while Stephens was punished for his challenge on Adam Moffat in the 46th.

The Galaxy duo were not the only ones to receive suspensions. Philadelphia Union forward Lionard Pajoy was also given a one-match ban and an undisclosed fine for his challenge on Toronto FC forward Joao Plata. The incident came in 29th minute of Toronto's 1-0 win over Philadelphia on May 26.

What do you think of these suspensions? Agree with them? Wondering who came up with the term aggravated dissent?

Share your thoughts below.

Studio 90: 2012 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

 

Rodgers named Liverpool manager

The man tasked with turning things around at Liverpool has been named.

Brendan Rodgers has been appointed manager at Liverpool after a compensation package was agreed upon by the Reds and Rodgers' former club, Swansea City. Rodgers had been linked with a move to Liverpool to be Kenny Dalglish's successor for weeks, but he was officially unveiled as the new manager on Friday.

The 39-year-old Rodgers is now facing the biggest challenge of his career, as he will need to help Liverpool bounce back from an underwhelming season in which they finished in seventh place and missed out on playing in the Champions League.

Rodgers, who has also coached at Reading and Watford in his career, guided Swansea City to an 11th-place finish in the Premiership last season.

What do you think of Liverpool appointing Rodgers? Think they should have gone with someone with a bit more experience? Do you expect him to last until the winter transfer window?

Share your thoughts below

Friday Kickoff: Mexico beats Bosnia, Hulk closer to Chelsea move and more

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez may have missed two quality chances, but he came through in the clutch to give Mexico another friendly win on Thursday.

Hernandez made up for two missed shots in the 80th minute by scoring a winner in stoppage time of a 2-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at Solder FIeld. Hernandez came off the bench in the match in the 61st minute, and he knocked in the winner in the rainy game with a close-range finish after Bosnian defenders failed to clear the ball three times on the play.

Mexico jumped out in front in their penultimate friendly before World Cup qualifying begins through a sixth-minute goal from Giovanni Dos Santos, but Bosnia responded before halftime when Edin Dzeko buried a chance just before the half-hour mark.

Here are more stories from around the soccer world: